Rosalía has apologized to her Argentine fans after facing intense criticism over a social media post shared following Spain’s victory against Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The Spanish singer became the center of an online controversy after reposting a video from Lebanese-American social media personality Mia Khalifa to her Instagram Stories. The clip featured Khalifa lip-syncing to Rosalía’s song “La Perla” while celebrating Spain’s championship victory.
The accompanying message, which referred to Argentina’s defeat, was interpreted by many fans as a direct mockery of the national team and its supporters.
Rosalía quickly deleted the repost and explained that she had shared the video because her song was playing without noticing the text included in the original post.
“I shared it because ‘La Perla’ was playing and I didn’t even read what it said. My bad, I’m sorry,” she wrote in an Instagram Story accompanied by the Argentine flag.
She followed the apology with another message declaring: “I only have love for Argentina.”
The controversy arrived at a particularly sensitive moment, as Rosalía is scheduled to begin a series of performances at Buenos Aires’ Movistar Arena on August 1 as part of her 2026 LUX Tour.
The Post That Sparked the Backlash
Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, formerly known as MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Following the match, Khalifa shared a video using “La Perla,” Rosalía’s song about a toxic and narcissistic former partner. The post included a celebratory caption about the defeat of the “perlas,” which many Argentine users viewed as insulting and deliberately provocative.
Although Rosalía did not create the original video, her decision to repost it was enough to generate an immediate reaction from fans.
Social media users flooded the singer’s accounts with criticism, while some ticket holders said they planned to sell or return their tickets rather than attend her upcoming concerts in Buenos Aires.
Others argued that the apology came too late or appeared motivated by concerns about the possible impact on ticket sales.
The backlash became so intense that calls to boycott the concerts and leave the Movistar Arena empty began circulating online.
Rosalía Says She Did Not Read the Caption
Rosalía maintained that the repost was an honest mistake rather than an intentional attack against Argentina.
According to the singer, she reacted to hearing her own music in the video and failed to read the full message before sharing it with millions of followers.
Her clarification emphasized her affection for Argentina, a country where she has built a substantial and passionate fan base throughout her career.
The explanation, however, divided audiences. Some accepted that the incident was an accidental social media mistake, while others felt that an artist with such a large international following should exercise greater caution before sharing politically or culturally sensitive material.
The episode demonstrates how a single repost can rapidly become a major public-relations controversy—especially when national pride, football and celebrity culture collide.
Concerts in Buenos Aires Move Forward
Despite the criticism, Rosalía’s scheduled appearances in Argentina remain listed as planned.
The singer is expected to perform at Buenos Aires’ Movistar Arena beginning August 1, with additional dates announced as part of the South American leg of her LUX Tour.
The shows will now take place under heightened attention, as fans wait to see whether Rosalía addresses the controversy directly from the stage.
For many Argentine followers, her live appearance may become an opportunity to repair the relationship and demonstrate that her message of affection for the country was sincere.
For others, the controversy has already changed how they view the artist.
When Football and Pop Culture Collide
The reaction also highlights the extraordinary emotional power of football in Argentina.
For Argentine supporters, the World Cup is more than a sporting competition. It is deeply connected to national identity, collective memory and cultural pride. A message that might appear playful or harmless to an international audience can therefore carry a very different meaning inside the country.
Rosalía’s experience is also a reminder of the risks celebrities face when engaging with rapidly moving online conversations.
Sharing someone else’s content does not separate an artist from its message. For public figures with global audiences, every repost can be interpreted as an endorsement—even when it was shared without carefully reviewing the context.
Whether the apology will be enough to calm the controversy remains uncertain. What is clear is that Rosalía will arrive in Buenos Aires facing an audience that expects more than a performance.
She will also be facing a moment that may require acknowledgment, empathy and a sincere effort to reconnect with the Argentine fans who helped make her one of the world’s most successful Spanish-language artists.
By TuRitmo.com
Photo by Zak Hussein/Billboard
